File folder seal



Npv. 28, 1944.

T. E. ROBINSON FILE FOLDER SEAL Filed March 4, 1944 5 A-ks.

Patented Nov. 28, 1944 f "UNITED STATES E TL FILE FOLDER SEAL Thomas E. Robinson, Tulsa, Okla.

Application March 4, 1944, Serial No. 525,078

1 located approximately midway of the horizontal length of the folder so that, if the folder be lifted by grasping the sealing strip, the folder and its 1 Claim. My invention relates to improvements in file folder seals designed to releasably retain the flaps of such folders in sealed relation, to thereby preserve the contents of the folder in goodcondition While at the same time permittin convenient and ready access to them.

The primary object of the invention is to prevent the loss of papers when the files become crowded and when itis desired to transfer or transport the folders.

Other objects of the invention are to economize filing space by preventing spreading of the flaps of the folder file, and to avoid the crumpling or mutilation of papers through the inadvertent introduction of one file folder between the flaps of another. r

The principal feature of the invention consists in forming the sealing member as a pliable metallic strip which, when bent into sealingrelation to the flaps of the folder, is provided at one end with a portion overlapping the inner face of one of the folder flaps, and which has a portion ex tending through that flap, together with a portion overlapping the outer face of the flap to which the pliable metallic strip is fixedly attached, and which also has a portion extending through the, other flap of the folder from the inner face to the outer face of the folder, and which is alsoprovided toward its free end with a, plurality of portions between which the other of said flaps intervenes.

-In the drawing illustrating the invention, the scope whereof is pointed out in the claim, I

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a file folder seal embodying the invention, a portion of the l file folder being shown in connection therewith. Figure 2 is a view showing the relation of the seal when in sealing relation to the fiaps of the file folder, the seal being shown in side elevation and the portions of thefolder flaps with whic it cooperates being in section. Figure 3 is a detail View illustrating the manner of manipulating the pliable sealing member when the file folder is to be sealed or open, the sealing member being shown in elevation and partsof the folder being in section.

, face thereof, together with a portion l0 connect- In the drawing, l indicates a file folder of the type consisting of two flaps, 2 and 3 respectively,

extending portion 4 of the flap 3 is preferably contents will be substantially balanced on opposite sides of the sealing strip 5. If desired and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing, the upmay be provided with a burr l which is pressed into the, material of the adjacent fiap so as to prevent the sealing strip from slipping. The plia-- ble strip 5is bent so that, when it is insealing relation to the flaps of the folder, it provides a portion 8 which overlaps the inner face of the flap 2 and a portion 9 which overlaps the outer ing said portions 8 and 9, and which extends through the flap 2. The pliable sealing member 5 also has a portion l l which passes through the upward extension 4 of the flap 3, and it also is formedwith an upwardly extending portion l2 which overlaps the outer face of the portion 4 of the flap 3. In addition, the pliable sealing strip 5 provides at its free end a portion l3 which overlaps the inner face of the flap portion 4. Between the portions l2 and I3 of the sealing strip -5, the said strip is bent, as indicated at 14, to pass around the upper edge ofthe portion 4 of the flap 3, the adjacent edge of that portion of the flap 3 being preferably notched, as indicated at l5, to received the portion M of the sealin member 5, thereby serving to prevent lateral shifting of the upper end of the sealingmember with respect to the filefolder.

When access to the file folder is desired, the free end portion of the pliable metallic sealing strip 5 is straightened out, as illustrated in Figure 3, and is withdrawn through the opening in l the flap 3 to permit the two flaps of the folder to be separated at the top. When sealing the file, the straightened portion of the member 5 is passed through the opening in the flap 3 and is then bent to sealing relation with the folder flaps, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

' A file folder seal embodying my invention firmly resists accidental openin of the file and its parts are so related to each other that the pliable metallic sealing strip is not apt to foul or catch upon other file folders when in use.

folder flaps, and which has a portion extendin through said last named flap, and a portion over lapping the outer face of said last named fla and a portion extending through said other flap from the inner face to the outer face thereof, and which is provided with a portion overlapping the outer face of said last named flap, and which also is provided at its free end with a portion which overlaps the inner face of said last named flap. I

THOMAS E. ROBINSON. 

